Soccer Development
Improvement through consistent, focused, quality repetition — on the field, in the gym, and in the film room. Every rep matters.
Our Top Priority
To inspire — and grow every student's love, passion, and confidence.
Everything else we do is built on top of that.
How Development Actually Happens
Students have to enjoy the training — and understand how and why it benefits them — at the same time. When training is fun AND clearly helping them, you get engagement, buy-in, and focus. That's where development and confidence grow.
Fun + Knowing the Why
Training students genuinely enjoy — with a clear understanding of how and why every rep benefits their game.
Engagement • Buy-In • Focus
Students who want to be on the field, believe in the work, and lock in — because the training is theirs, not something done to them.
Development & Confidence
Real growth — in skill, in game intelligence, and in the confidence that carries into everything a student does.
The On-Field Curriculum
Foundational skills, trained daily and with intention — designed by Ken Godat specifically for TPH St. Louis student-athletes.
4 additional on-field hours every week, on top of club training • club-neutral — players from every club in Missouri and beyond keep playing for their own clubs.
Ball Mastery
Technical and specialty training — ball mastery, passing, and finishing — plus position-specific functional training.
Decision Making
1v1 scenario-based training, small-sided games for playing-habit development, and dedicated decision-making training.
Soccer IQ Education
Game model education across all phases — building players who understand the game, not just play it.
Creativity & Free Play
Creativity development, free play, and soccer-related games — soccer tennis, foot golf, and teqball — for aerial striking and receiving.
Player Evaluations & IDPs
Regular evaluations and Individual Development Plans, so every player knows exactly what they're working on and why.
Mentality & Pathway
Mentality and leadership training, character building and values off the field, journey journaling, and pathway guidance.
Development in Championship Hands
Few youth academies anywhere put staff of this caliber on the field with students every single week.
HEAD OF SOCCER
Ken Godat
NCAA National Champion at Indiana University • first-round professional draft pick in the MISL • more than twenty years with Saint Louis Scott Gallagher, where he serves as Youth Technical Director • coaching career spanning the collegiate, club, and international levels — including the Olympic Development Program and academy soccer in Europe. His model: training volume, 1v1 creativity, and the tactical intelligence to succeed in any system of play.
HEAD OF GOALKEEPER DEVELOPMENT
Paulo Nascimento
Professional at 17 in Brazil, with a playing career across Brazil, Portugal, and Ukraine • a decade with the St. Louis Ambush of the MASL • NCAA Division I goalkeeper coach at Lindenwood University • leads the goalkeeper curriculum at Saint Louis Scott Gallagher across every age group. His standard: confident, technically strong, mentally prepared keepers who love the game.
Goalkeeper Training
Led by Head of Goalkeeper Development Paulo Nascimento — 10 dedicated days per month.
Dedicated GK Days
8:00 AM–12:00 PM: morning meeting, mentorship, video, hand-eye work, and goalkeeper-specific warm-up — then a full on-field session (30–40 minutes) followed by shots from players.
Between GK Days
Technique, form, good habits, body language, and work ethic — the standards don't take days off.
Whole-Player Development
Goalkeepers train within the full academy day — academics, strength and conditioning, and mentorship included.
Apply Today
Admission is by application and evaluation. Join us for the second semester of 2026–27 (registration closes December 1) or apply for the full 2027–28 academy year.